The Doctor of Physical Therapy program maintains a steadfast commitment to excellence in academics, clinical education, scholarship, research and service. We train future physical therapists to be compassionate leaders, who think critically, collaborate interprofessionally, and promote health and wellness.

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Faculty and Staff

Our DPT faculty consists of more than a dozen scholars and clinicians. Most hold doctoral degrees and many hold advanced clinical certifications representing a variety of specialty training areas. As a student in our program, you also receive instruction from physicians and scientists from other departments at UNE, who teach gross anatomy, neuroscience, and the five-course pathology and medical management sequence. To learn more about our DPT faculty and affiliated faculty, click on the links below.

Full-time Faculty

Dr. Sheldon joined the faculty in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of New England in 1990. Prior to joining the faculty, he was a staff physical therapist (General Surgery, Neurology, Orthopedics, & Inpatient Rehabilitation Rotations), and then senior physical therapist (Neurology and Neurosurgery) in the Physical Therapy Department, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1997 and was appointed Program Director in 2001. He has overseen the education programs’ continued accreditation by the Commission on... Read More

Dr. Lara Carlson is currently an Associate Professor in the Westbrook College of Health Professions at the University of New England (UNE). She received her Bachelors from Southern Connecticut State University, her Masters from the University of South Dakota, and her Doctorate in Exercise Physiology from Springfield College. Prior to her UNE appointment, she was an Assistant and Associate Professor at Castleton State College in Vermont for seven years. Outside the classroom, Dr. Carlson was an U.S. ranked hammer thrower in Track... Read More

Dr. Cavanaugh joined the PT faculty in 2007 in large part for its student-focused, community-oriented culture. He is an active member of the university faculty, with special interest in interprofessional education. He received a BA in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame in 1985 and completed his physical therapy training with a MS degree from Duke University in 1987. From 1996-2016, he was a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy. In 2004, he earned a Ph.D in... Read More

Dr. Charles is an assistant professor in the PhysicalTherapy Program at the University of New England. She earned a B.S. in Physical Therapy from the State University of New York at Buffalo and received a MSW from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. In 2005 she earned a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from the Biobehavioral Studies Program at Columbia University where her studies focused upper extremity motor control in children with unilateral cerebral palsy(UCP). Both her doctoral and post-doctural... Read More

Expertise

Erin Hartigan, P.T., D.P.T., Ph.D., O.C.S., A.T.C. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy within the Westbrook College of Health Professions at the University of New England. Dr. Hartigan earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Physiology (‘95), Certificate of Athletic Training (‘96), Master’s of Science (‘97) and Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy degrees (‘04) from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and her Doctorate of Philosophy in Biomechanics and Movement Science (‘09) from the University of... Read More

Amy Litterini, P.T., D.P.T., is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of New England. She received a BS in Health Sciences in 1993 and a Master of Physical Therapy degree in 1994 from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Simmons College in Boston, MA, in 2004. Her experiences in adult rehabilitation have included acute care, hospital-based out-patient care, private practice, long term care and home care in... Read More

Dr. McAuley is originally from Massachusetts and returned to New England in 2012 after nearly 20-years spent in Washington DC and New York City. Since 2012, she has lived in Portland with her husband, son and toothless cat, "Josie". She enjoys the nearby lakes, hiking and snowshoeing as well as the offerings at Merrill Auditorium. While here at UNE, Dr. McAuley has engaged in Interprofessional Education & Collaboration and Service Learning. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor and Academic Coordinator of... Read More

Dr. McCormack Tutt joined the PT faculty in the spring of 2006 as a clinician in the PT clinic on the Biddeford Campus and assisted with teaching in the Musculoskeletal course. She then moved into the role as the Director of Clinical Education in the fall of 2007. She is an active member of the university faculty, with special interest in clinical education and service learning. She received a BA in Physical Therapy from the University of New England in 1993, a MPH... Read More

Dr. Ricci joined the PT faculty in 2009 after many years of successful pediatric clinical practice in a variety of settings, including early intervention, school based PT, group homes and private practice. She received a BS in Physical Education from Springfield College, a MS degree in Physical Therapy from Boston College, and a DPT degree from Drexel University. Since 2007, she has been a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy. She is an active member... Read More

Dr. Katherine (Katy) Rudolph is physical therapist and researcher in the Department of Physical Therapy in the Westbrook College of Health Professions at UNE. She earned an MSPT Boston University in 1989 and a PhD in Biomechanics and Movement Science from the University of Delaware (UD) in 1998. After post-doctoral training in the Center for Biodynamics at Boston Universitiy she accepted a faculty position at UD where she remained from September, 1999 thru August, 2011. She joined the UNE family in September, 2011.

Dr. Swanson joined the P.T. faculty in 2015 in large part for its friendly, collaborative, community-oriented culture. He received a B.S. in Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University in 1996. Since 2005, he has been a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, and in 2006 he completed a two year residency and fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy at the Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy in Woburn, MA. In 2012, he earned a D.Sc in Physical Therapy from Andrews University, where... Read More

Expertise

Evidence Based Physical Therapy

Manual Orthopaedic Physical Therapy

rehabilitation of the spine and extremities

Outpatient Physical Therapy

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Buchanan joined the Physical Therapy faculty as an assistant clinical professor at the University of New England in 2014 after serving as an adjunct professor for more than 10 years. She received her BA in German from Colby College where she was awarded distinction in her major and was selected to Phi Beta Kappa. She received her Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from Boston University while also finishing requirements for a certification in Athletic Training. In 2001 she... Read More

Expertise

Karen graduated from the University of New England in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy. She had experience as an in-patient therapist for several years prior to starting employment at UNE in 1991. She worked on the Biddeford campus of UNE as a clinician at the Health Center as well as Clinical Faculty to the P.T. program from 1991-2002. Karen has continued on as an adjunct faculty member in the Physical Therapy program since that time,... Read More

Expertise

Deb graduated from Duke University in 1987 with a Masters in Physical Therapy, and completed the transitional DPT at Shenandoah University in 2013. She has experience in adult rehabilitation (both neurological and orthopedic) in a variety of settings, including outpatient orthopedics, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and home health. She currently works in a private outpatient practice. She is also an enthusiastic gardener and is a Master Gardener Volunteer through the Maine Cooperative Extension. She has enjoyed... Read More

Collin's experience lies in both adults and pediatrics in a variety of settings throughout southern Maine. In 2004 she began exclusively treating children with cranial deformities and torticollis, and in 2008 she presented at the AOTA national conference. Currently, she works at South Portland Nursing Home treating both skilled and

Worked in multiple health care settings over course of career with primary focus on rehabilitation and specifically Amputee Rehabilitation. While employed at New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland, served as Amputee Program Leader and ran multidisciplinary Amputee Clininc from 2006-2013. Led the facility to become second in the nation certified by Joint Commission for Disease Specific Certification in Amputee Rehabilitation. Joined Hanger Clinic (Orthotics and Prosthetics) in 2013 as Clinic Manager of Portland office. Read More

I am a phsical therapist and atheltic trainer with 13 yrs of experience. Also, I am a sports clincial specialist and certied ergonomic evaluation specialist. I graduated with my Bachelor's degree in atheltic training in 2001 and my Master's degreee in phyiscal therapy in 2003. I obtained both of these at Sacred Heart University in Fairflied CT.

Currently I am a lead physical therapist for Intermed. I work full time at the LLBean employee health clinic where I perform ergonomic... Read More

Expertise

Dr. Kathleen Leahy is a native of Massachusetts who attended the University of Maine at Orono under a swimming scholarship. During her time at UMaine, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a concentration in Health and Fitness and was recognized as an All American Swimmer. Her Scholarly Internship, in 1988, was in a Phase III Cardiac Rehabilitation program at New England Memorial Hospital in Stoneham, Ma. Dr. Leahy is also a graduate of the University of... Read More

Expertise

This is laura's first year as a lab assistant and adjunct professor. After graduating from the Master's program at U- Mass Lowell, Laura worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings at York Hospital followed by working in an outpatient orthopedic clinic in Portland specializing in maual therapy. For the most recent 6 years Laura has been the owner of Cape Physical Therapy and practices home care locally. Her clients include the geriatric population, high school athletes and orthopedic injuries. Laura is the mother of 3... Read More

Expertise

Michael earned his Bachelors Degree in Athletic Training Education at UNE in 2004 followed by his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at UNE in 2007. He worked in Acute Care for 3 years while working per diem at New England Rehabilitation Hospital. In 2010 he joined Back in Motion Physical Therapy specializing in manual physical therapy and vestibular therapy. Michael is currently the Clinic Director of Back in Motion's Portland office.Read More

Tara Paradie joined the PT faculty as an adjunct faculty member in pediactrics in 2009, and became a core faculty member in 2016. Motivated by a personal love of learning and appreciation of student life, she has a paricular interest in cultivating leadership in students, international service learning and its application to pediatric physical therapy. A life-long participant in YMCA related work, she received a BS from Springfield College in exercise science and general studies in 1993, and a Master of... Read More

Alissa initially started her career in physical therapist in 1986 as a Physical Therapist Assistant. In 1995 she returned to university at the University of New England to persue a degree in physical therapy, graduating in 1999. She then went on to obtain a tDPT in the fall of 2014 from UNE. The majority of her career has been as a generalist working in various settings for New England Rehabilitation Hospital. She has worked in outpatient and inpatient acute rehab, skilled care, acure care, and home health settings. Currently, she is working... Read More

Affiliated Faculty

Casey joined the faculty of the Department of Exercise and Sport Performance in 2010. Prior to joining the University, she worked as a Health Educator and a Clinical Exercise Physiologist in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation at Maine Medical Center's Turning Point Heart Health program. Casey manages the Internship Program for the Applied Exercise Science students, aiding students with placements in pre-professional physical therapy, strength and conditioning, clinical exercise physiology, health promotion, and more. Casey recieved her Bachelor's Degree in Applied Exercise... Read More

Pediatric occupational therapy intervention and assessment provided within school, clinic and hospital settings. Most recent clinical experience includes acute care setting working with children and adults in critical care. Special interests include poly-trauma, neuro-recovery, early mobilization in the ICU, therapeutic use of self and inter-professional education.

Active member of MeOTA, co-Southern Maine MeOTA representative and co-facilitator for Maine Community of Practice for Children and Youth.

Beth has a BA from Cornell University, an MLIS from University of South Carolina, and is a Senior Member of the Medical Library Association's Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP). She is a guest lecturer in the liaison areas, and affiliated faculty for the Department of Physical Therapy in PTH514: Scientific Inquiry I. She was a Spring 2015 fellow at the National Library of Medicine's Georgia Biomedical Informatics Course, attended... Read More

David Koester, Ph.D. is currently a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of New England. He received a BA in Zoology from Miami University, a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Delaware, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pittsburgh. After many years in the Anatomy Department in the College of Osteopathic Medicine at UNE, Dave took a position in the Department of Biology. Over the years he has taught Human Gross Anatomy... Read More

Dennis Leighton is a life-long Mainer who has been practicing and teaching physical therapy in the greater Portland area since 1984. After graduating from Greely High School in Cumberland, Dennis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Springfield College in 1979 and a Master of Arts in Teaching Physical Education and Sports Medicine from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1980. After working for two years as an athletic trainer in Maine and Connecticut, Dennis returned to... Read More

Jennifer started working at UNE in 2002, and teaches the gross anatomy labs for the PA and DPT graduate students, as well as A&P and Intro BIO for the undergradutates. She grew up in central Maine, graduated from Foxcroft Academy, went to Stonehill College for Biology, and studied Anatomy & Cell Biology at the UMDNJ-Graduate School Biomedical Sciences, Newark, NJ. Read More

Jeff Nevers is an Affiliated Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of New England and teaches Physical Therapy Administration, which focuses on the business and strategic concepts central to the field. He serves as a strategic and communication faculty advisor for UNE entrants into the Clarion Case competition, an annual national interprofessional healthcare presentation contest.

Jeff’s primary position is Career Services Coordinator on UNE’s Portland Campus.

Michael Lawrence is the Manager of the Motion Analysis Laboratory (MAL) at the University of New England's Biomechanics Laboratory and supports all faculty research in the MAL. Mike also mentors both graduate and under graduate students in the MAL.

His personal research interests include the mechanics of various strength training exercises, strength and conditioning, and the neuromuscular control of movement.

Outside of UNE he is a competitive powerlifter and holds an Professional total in the 275lb weight class. His best... Read More

Nichol Shea is the Department of Physical Therapy’s Clinical Placement Coordinator and provides direct support to the Director of Clinical Education (DCE) and Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE). She has been with the University of New England for over 15 years and joined the Department of Physical Therapy in the spring of 2008 after serving in the University’s Office of the Registrar for over 8 years. Her primary role is to work closely with students’ throughout... Read More